ISSUED  BY 

DEPARTMENT  OF  HEALTH 

CITY  OF  LOS  ANGELES 


Cones  OF  Tins  PAMPHLET  OBTAINABLE  FREE 
VT    HIALTH    DEPARTMENT,    FIFTH    AND    HOPE 

SmmT?»  "  F*«  SSffS^ft.SSlTS' 

SI  TEMPLE  BUX:K,  AHP  J^OlVi  EAST  NiKta  br. 


SUGGESTIONS  REGARDING  TUBERCULOSIS 

Tuberculosis  is  a  communicable  disease. 

Tuberculosis  is  a  preventable  disease. 

Tuberculosis  is  a  curable  disease. 

The  later  stages  of  tuberculosis  an-  known  as  consumption. 

Tuberculosis  is  communicated  by  means  of  the  tubercle 
bacilli;  liny  vegetable  micro-organisms  which  are  thrown  off 
irom  tul»erculous  ulcerating  surfaces,  most  frequently  from 
the  lungs  in  the  expectoration. 

The  tuberculous  patient  is  not  dangerous  to  others  if  this 
expectorated  matter  is  properly  destroyed. 

Tuberculosis  discharges  should  be  received  in  a  receptacle 
-•;nch  that  the  matter  can  be  burned,  or  otherwise  destroyed, 
and  the  receptacle,  if  to  be  used  again,  boiled. 

Expectoration  should  never  be  swallowed. 

When  coughing  or  sneezing,  patient  should  cover  his  mouth 
with  hand  or  handkerchief.  Do  not  cough  if  you  can  avoid  it. 

Several  forms  of  sputum  cups  are  on  the  market;  some  of 
pasteboard,  which  can  be  burned;  others  of  metal,  which  can 
lie  boiled;  others  of  metal  form  holding  a  papier  mache  cup. 
which  can  be  replaced  at  a  nominal  expense.  Whatever  form 
used  should  be  covered  to  prevent  flies  from  coming  in  con- 
tact with  the  sputum. 

Disinfectant  solutions  may  be  used;  carbolic  acid  solution 
5-100;  concentrated  lye,  one  tablespoonful  to  a  glass  of  water. 

K \peetorat ion  into  cloths,  which  are  carried  in  the  pocket 
or  placed  about  the  bedding,  is  a  dangerous  practice.  The  dan- 
ger is  of  further  infection  of  the  patient  and  the  infection  of 
others. 

If  circumstances  are  such  that  cloths  must  be  used  tem- 
porarily, they  should  never  be  carried  in  the  pocket,  but  in  :i 
bag,  preferably  of  rubber,  and  :n  soon  as  possible  -hould  be 
burned.  After  the  sputum  has  become  dry  sueh  cloths  :n«- 
dangerous  to  persons  who  handle  them. 


Expectoration  should  be  destroyed  before  it  dries. 

Expectoration  should  be  kept  away  from  flies. 

Never  expectorate  in  dark  corners. 

Tuberculosis  patient  should  always  wash  his  teeth,  mouth 
and  hands  before  meals. 

Apartments  used  by  consumptives  should  not  contain  car- 
pets, unnecessary  upholstering,  curtains  or  tapestry. 

Apartments  which  have  been  used  by  tuberculous  patients 
should  be  thoroughly  disinfected  under  the  direction  of  the 
health  authorities  or  a  competent  physician. 

Cases  of  tuberculosis  should  be  reported  to  the  proper  health 
authorities,  not  for  the  purpose  of  quarantine,  but  for  general 
instruction. 

Tuberculosis  is  not  apt  to  attack  a  person  who  is  otherwise 
in  good  health. 

Have  your  living  apartments  as  much  exposed  to  direct  sun- 
light as  possible,  and  your  sleeping  apartments  thoroughly  ven- 
tilated. 

Breathe  through  the  nose.  Children  who  breathe,  through  the 
mouth  have  some  form  of  nasal  obstruction.  This  is  dangerous 
to  their  health  and  interferes  with  their  mental  development. 

Avoid  .dissipation  and  excess. 

Remember  that  tuberculosis  is  curable,  if  the  case  comes 
early  under  the  guidance  of  an  intelligent  physician. 

REST 

Rest  reclining  or  in  recumbent  position,  according  to  in- 
structions; either  in  room  with  windows  open  or  sleeping 
porch,  or  in  the  open  air;  never  in  closed  room.  Have  sufficient 
wraps  to  keep  comfortable.  If  the  extremities  are  kept  warm, 
fewer  heavy  wraps  are  needed.  A  warm  pair  of  gloves  may 
prevent  the  necessity  for  an  extra  coat.  Mental  rest  is  as 
iipr-essary  as  physical  rest. 


EXERCISE 

Never  to  point  of  fatigue. 

Not  if  blood  in  sputum. 

Stop  and  rest  with  first  appearance  of  shortness  of  breath 
or  increased  pulse. 

Do  not  run. 

Avoid  hill  or  mountain  climbing. 

Talking  during  wa|king  may,  aid  in  inducing  fatigue. 

Avoid  deep  breathing  exercises,  calisthenics,  gymnastics  or 
athletics. 

Stay  out  of(  d^ors.  as  much  as  possible,  during  pleasant 
weather. 

Do  not  sit  quiet  while  chilly;  either  move  about  or  secure 
rxtra  wraps. 

Do  not  sft  where  sun  shines  on  your  head,  especially  in  warm 
weather.  The  bodily  temperature  may  be  raised  by  exposure 
to  direct  rays  of  the  sun. 

Amusements  in  moderation  are.  to  be  encouraged.  Do  not 
carry  them  to  excess.  Avoid  amusements  that  subject  you  to 
dust  or  over-exertion. 

Avoid  exciting  games  or  games  which  require  concentrated 
thought. 

Avoid  prolonged  reading  or  writing. 

Avoid  assemblages,  especially  theaters,  picture-shows  and 
evening  entertainments. 

Do  as  little  shopping  as  possible. 

Wear  sufficient  clothing  to  keep  comfortable— no  more.  Ex- 
cessive clothing  means  unnecessary  weight  to  carry. 

Have  an  extra  wrap  handy,  so  it  can  be  put  on  when  the 
sun  disappears. 

Linen  mesh  is  probably  the  best  material  for  most  people  to 
wear  next  to  the  body. 

SLEEPING  APARTMENTS 

Have  bed-room  properly  ventilated.  Retire  regularly  at  9  or 
0:30  p.  m.:  nlso  at  the  prescribed  rest  hour-;. 


,  • '.;  •-  • 
Use  only   sufficient   covers   to  keep   comfortable.     They   are 

better  made  of  light-weight  materials.     Heavy  covers  produce 
fatigue  by  their  weight. 

Note  that  mattresses  are  sufficiently  thick  to  retain  the 
body  heat. 

DIET 

Unless  otherwise  ordered  by  your  physician,  eat  a  "mixed 
diet." 

Hat  articles  of  food  which  you  can  relish. 

Avoid  pastry,  confectionery  and  an  excess  of  sweets. 

Do  not  take  "extra  diet"  unless  prescribed  by  your  physi- 
cian. 

Consult  your  physician  regarding  diet;  also  any  symptoms 
of  the  digestive  system,  especially  constipation. 

Eat  regularly — preferably  with  pleasant  company.  Never 
discuss  your  symptoms  or  those  of  others  at  meal  time— or  at 
any  other  time — except  with  your  physician. 

Kat  slowly.  Do  not  eat  between  meals,  unless  ordered  to 
do  so  by  your  physician. 

THROAT 

Tf  your  throat  if  affected,  avoid  talking  as  much  as  possible; 
if  hoarse,  talk  in  a  whisper. 

MEDICINES 

Use  none,  except  those  prescribed  by  your  physician. 
Use  no  wine  or  liquors  of  any  kind,  except  as  prescribed  by 
your  physician. 

BATHS 

A  warm  bath,  not  to- exceed  five  minutes,  preferably  at  time 
of  retiring;  about  two  a  week.  Water  should  be  cooled  to  a* 
low  temperature  as  comfort  will  permit  at  end  of  bath. 


llatli  room  should  lie  of  such  tempera  tun-  :IH  to  be  comfort 
iilile  to  the  patient. 

After  thoroughly  drying  with  Turkish  towel  patient  should 
retire  at  once.  Avoid  becoming  chilled. 

( Old  baths  in  the  morning  on  rising  are  of  advantage  to 
patients  of  sufficient  vitality  to  react;  that  is,  feel  a  comfort- 
able glow  of  warmth  following  the  bath.  The  measure  of  value 
of  the  cold  bath  is  the  reaction. 

The  bath  may  consist  of  bathing  only  the  face  and  hands  in 
cold  water ;  or  the  arms  and  chest,  or  the  entire  body,  owing  to 
the  amount  of  chilliness  and  the  readiness  with  which  reaction 
occurs. 

A  cold-air  bath,  by  simply  removing  the  clothing  and  rubbing 
with  a  bath  towel,  may  be  desirable  when  the  body  docs  not 
react  well  to  cold  water. 

RELATION  TO  PHYSICIAN 

l>i-  careful  and  conscientious  in  recording  your  temperature, 
pulse  and  other  data  requested  by  your  physician. 

Report  to  your  physician  anything  which  may  possibly  be 
of  interest  in  connection  with  your  case. 

Follow  carefully  the  instructions  given  by  your  physician. 

Your  physician  can  only  advise  you  and  administer  treat- 
ment. You  must  follow  his  advice  and  co-operate.  Give  him 
your  confidence  at  all  times. 

Tubercular  tissue  heals  by  the  formation  of  scar  and  the 
formation  of  scar  is  necessary  for  cure;  time  is  an  element  in 
the  formation  of  such  scar-tissue. 

Do  not  attempt  to  acquire  a  technical  knowledge  of  tubercu- 
losis: unless  j'ou  have  been  instructed  in  pathology,  you  will 
be  unable  to  do  so. 


001  055  864     1 


LIBRARY 
PUBLIC  AFFAIRS  SERVICE 

JUL  26  197P  i 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
LOS  ANGEUES 


